Penfold wrote:However, tomorrow I will be going to see some hawks which we will be allowed to handle and which will also be flown for us to photograph. I will do my best to get some good ones to show you later.

Take a box of plasters, Penners. Have a great time.

I will attempt to avoid doing impressions of Hodgesaargh.

We finally got to go to the falconry evening that had been postponed due to bad weather a couple of weeks ago. I did have a sort of Hodgsaargh moment when the barn owl they were flying totally ignored both handlers (and the food they held) to fly to me before landing on my arm. I wasn't wearing the gauntlets and was expecting a few cuts and scratches from the very sharp claws so I was very surprised to find her grip very gentle. She then hopped onto my camera lens and perched there while my friends were busy clicking away (photos to follow when I receive them) and the handlers frantically calling her. This happened three times altogether!

It was a fantastic evening and all round great experience. Here are a few pics to be getting on with, with more to follow later.

Peregrine.

Kestral.

Barn Owl that almost gave me that Hodgsaargh moment.

African Eagle Owl.

The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense.